ABSTRACT
Rivers play a dual role in two of the most fundamental processes on Earth: since their very beginning, these ribbons of flowing water have been the agents of transport in both the hydrologic and the geologic cycles. The values of rivers include the use of their water for agriculture, industry, recreation, and domestic supply. The larger rivers are increasingly used as major arteries of transportation, while the burden of other services on almost all streams grows as the human population expands. The raw sewage of yesteryear has been largely replaced by sewage-plant effluents with nitrates and phosphates in eutrophic concentrations. The additional observation that the river habitat has undoubtedly suffered the greatest damage points up the need for prompt, effective measures to prevent our passing additional points of no return. Preserving a river in its natural or near-natural state will result in the preservation of most of the river biota, as well as of other natural values.
